EMPIRE LEAGUE BASEBALL ROUNDUP : El Dorado Defeats Los Alamitos

His confidence shaken and his record falling, El Dorado High senior pitcher Benito Flores needed a boost.

The charge came Friday.

Flores pitched a complete game in the Golden Hawks’ 4-1 Empire League victory over Los Alamitos at Los Alamitos, enabling El Dorado to take sole possession of first place.

“My confidence was a little shaken up because I wasn’t getting my curveball over the last few games,” Flores said. “That’s my go-to pitch, and I was able to throw it for strikes today.”

The senior left-hander (3-3) struck out seven and gave up only four hits in breaking his personal two-game losing streak.

Moreover, Flores’ victory improved El Dorado to 12-4, 4-1 in league play. Los Alamitos (10-6, 3-2) is tied for second with Esperanza.

“We got great pitching and we played error-free ball,” Golden Hawks Coach Steve Gullotti said. “Pitching and defense is how we win, and that’s what we did today.”

El Dorado scored its first run in the top of the third inning when senior Ryan Reyes (two for four, one run batted in) drove in sophomore Mike Castillo (two for two, two runs scored, two RBIs) from third base with a double. Castillo opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third on two passed balls by Griffin junior catcher Mark Ukleja, who gave up four in the game.

Ukleja, who missed several games because of an injury, appeared to get signals crossed often with senior left-hander Miles Campbell (4-1).

“It’s too bad because he’s a good kid,” Los Alamitos Coach John Bryant said. “This was definitely one of his tougher games.”

El Dorado scored two more runs in the fourth on back-to-back RBI doubles by Castillo and junior Jim Cox, the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters. The Golden Hawks’ final run came in the sixth on Castillo’s second RBI double.

“The bottom of our order really picked us up today,” Gullotti said. “We didn’t get a lot from the top, but the bottom gave us a lift.”

Still, Campbell kept the Griffins in the game by striking out nine and allowing only eight hits.

Los Alamitos scored its run in the sixth, when senior Clay Kemp’s single drove in senior Bill Blackledge, who singled with one out in the inning and stole second.

But the Griffins went quietly in the seventh. Flores retired the side in order, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

The loss, however, was not confidence-shattering for the Griffins.

“We’re a good club,” Bryant said, “and I think we’re in a good position for the stretch drive.”

In another league game:

Esperanza 11, Loara 1--Don Costello had a double, a home run, five RBIs and scored twice to lead Esperanza (9-5, 3-2). Scott Hild struck out seven and gave up one earned run on four hits in six innings to earn the victory. Loara is 9-6, 2-3.